The Arctic Watchers Act would create a new U.S. government program, called the Arctic Watcher Program, within the State Department and coordinated with the Department of Defense. Its purpose is to monitor the Arctic region across security, military, economic, natural resources, cyber, scientific, and political sectors, and to counter influence campaigns by Russia, China, and other malign actors that threaten U.S. and allied interests and the rules-based international order. The law would also aim to strengthen U.S. engagement with regional and international partners and protect energy security, cyber security, and economic interests (including critical minerals and natural resources) in the Arctic. The program would deploy personnel—designated as “Arctic Watchers”—to posts in Europe, North America, and other locations as needed, under the guidance of the Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Affairs. It would require annual reports from each post, a nationwide report detailing staffing and strategies within 180 days of enactment and annually thereafter, and it would authorize $10 million per year beginning in 2025 to fund these activities. The act defines the Arctic region by referencing the Arctic Research and Policy Act.
Key Points
- 1Establishes the Arctic Watcher Program in the State Department (with coordination from the Department of Defense) to monitor and respond to Arctic-region dynamics across multiple sectors and to counter malign influence campaigns by China, Russia, and others.
- 2Creates designated personnel (“Arctic Watchers”) assigned to posts in European countries with Arctic interests, at least one post in North American Arctic-focused countries, and additional posts as needed; requires notification to Congress when assignments are made.
- 3Tasks the Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Affairs with policy guidance for the Arctic Watchers and requires posts to submit annual progress reports with goals for the next year.
- 4Requires a near-term and ongoing formal report (within 180 days after enactment and annually) detailing Arctic Watcher staffing, responsibilities, and the strategies of the chief of mission.
- 5Authorizes a steady funding level of $10,000,000 per fiscal year (starting in 2025) to support the Arctic Watcher Program.